The Suva City Council (SCC) is set to upgrade its data systems significantly. SCC chairman Tevita Boseiwaqa revealed that plans for a new system are already underway, with implementation anticipated within the next three weeks.
“Our current systems are over 12 years old, having been established in 2012,” Mr. Boseiwaqa explained. “The new system will incorporate numerous features, including enhanced security measures, and will be equipped to better defend against issues like cyber attacks we are currently facing.”
He noted that the antiquated nature of their systems has prevented the installation of modern applications and antivirus software.
Additionally, the council is launching a five-year digital transformation roadmap aimed at modernizing its infrastructure. This plan includes upgrading hardware, given that many devices are still using outdated platforms such as Windows 7.
Mr. Boseiwaqa mentioned that the council’s commitment to digitalization is in line with its goal of evolving into a smart city. He also confirmed that an annual budget for the next five years has been approved to facilitate this initiative.
Recently, the SCC held discussions with a United Nations team regarding smart city concepts. Mr. Boseiwaqa remarked that the recent cyber attack has provided vital lessons for the council and similar organizations.
“We (SCC) are committed to improvement and are proactively enhancing our cybersecurity measures and overall digital capabilities.”